Celebrate Chesterfield

Women in engineering celebrated across Chesterfield

20th June 2024

Women working in our town’s manufacturing and engineering sector will be celebrated on Sunday 23rd June, as part of International Women in Engineering Day.

The day aims to raise awareness of careers in the sector for women, with 2021 figures showing that just 16.5% of engineers in the UK are female.

With many businesses in Chesterfield working to reduce skills gaps in their workforces, attracting a diverse range of skilled people is a key priority for the future.

Nick Catt, Destination Chesterfield Board Member and Managing Director of Weightron Bilanciai commented: “Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day is not just about recognising the remarkable achievements of women engineers worldwide, but also about inspiring future generations to break barriers, innovate without limits, and reshape the world with their ingenuity and passion.

“I would strongly recommend that young women and girls across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire to look into what a rewarding career in our sector can offer. By encouraging more women to work in engineering, we are able to futureproof our businesses and help them to thrive for future generations.”

Women are contributing towards the success of many manufacturing and engineering businesses across Chesterfield. Find out more in our showcase below:

NIBE Energy Systems

Woman stood next to industrial machinery wearing yellow shirt

Phoebe Maxfield – NIBE Energy Systems

NIBE is working to create the energy systems of the future right here in Chesterfield. The company boasts a dedicated training centre in our town to train up heat pump installers. Heat pumps provide homes with heating, cooling, ventilation and hot water to create a perfect indoor climate with minimal impact on nature

Phoebe Maxfield works in the technical department at NIBE in Chesterfield, and shared her experiences.

Why did you choose a career in engineering?

I have always been a very hands on person, taking things apart and putting them back together to figure out the “Why?” of how things work. It was also about breaking the mould.

Why do you love working in the sector?

You can never know everything, there is always something to learn. Working with a team with the experience that NIBE Technical has means that every day is a school day.

What would you say to encourage more women and girls to work in engineering?

My advice would be to go for it. Experience isn’t always necessary with tools and software. If you have a desire to learn and can find a training provider or employer who is willing to support you, there is an opportunity for everyone.

NeoDyne

Aiswaryalakshmi Sudheendrababu (L), Megan McLoughlin (R) – NeoDyne

NeoDyne delivers leading-edge system integration, digital manufacturing and electrical engineering solutions & services to the life science, food & beverage, data centre and energy sectors.

Aiswaryalakshmi Sudheendrababu works as an MES developer creating software for NeoDyne, while Megan McLoughlin is an automation engineer for the company.

Why did you choose a career in engineering?

Megan: Growing up I always enjoyed maths and science in school, in particular the problem solving and practical aspects. When considering different careers I found that engineering provided a way for me to apply these skills whilst getting to work in a team environment.

Aiswaryalakshmi: I have a strong interest in STEM courses and enjoy problem-solving, so I decided to pursue a career in engineering. I saw fantastic job options in the field, was motivated to dispel prejudices by role models, and felt inspired by them. My choice was also heavily influenced by the opportunity to truly influence society and the growing acceptance of diversity.

Why do you love working in the sector?

Megan: No two days are the same! As an engineer I get to work on projects from a variety of different sectors including energy, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical, and develop skills using a range of new exciting technologies.

Aiswaryalakshmi: As a MES developer at NeoDyne UK, I enjoy working in the manufacturing industry because it gives me the opportunity to close the gap between operations and IT and immediately enhance the effectiveness and quality of production. Observing the direct results of my work on the shop floor makes me happy, and I relish the challenge of using technology to optimize procedures. I like working in varied teams to promote creativity and address practical issues. I stay interested because of the lively, practical atmosphere. Furthermore, NeoDyne UK is an excellent environment to advance professionally and make a significant contribution due to its supportive culture and dedication to quality.

What would you say to encourage more women and girls to work in engineering?

Megan: Engineering is such a great career as everyday is a learning day, you get to network with so many different people, work in a team, and often travel to different projects in the UK and abroad!

Aiswaryalakshmi: Open the doors to countless prospects in the manufacturing sector! Your creativity, tenacity, and resourcefulness are the engines that drive breakthrough discoveries and game-changing fixes. As you set out to redefine what is possible, follow your curiosity. Take on challenges as chances to show off your abilities and make an impact on the world. The manufacturing industry has a promising future awaiting your bravery and tenacity. Join us in building an infinitely inventive future !

MSE Hiller

Ros Fomin (L) and Rebekah Linacre (R) MSE Hiller

MSE Hiller supplies and rents centrifuges and environmental engineering products to the water, food and other industries throughout the UK.

Rebekah Linacre is the company’s Commercial Manager, and covers the H&S aspect of MSE. Ros is a Technical Sales Engineer, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Why did you choose a career in engineering?

Ros: I was interested in solving problems and designing from a young age, and I was fortunate to have family and teachers who actively encouraged me to pursue a career in Engineering – in hindsight it wasn’t until I was older that I was exposed to the (ridiculous!) idea it couldn’t be for women, by which time it was too late!

Beckie: After leaving university, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. So I didn’t narrow down my options. I focused on finding a career that remained interesting and provided constant learning opportunities. This led to skills in managing health and safety, which forms a foundation to then work on a wide range of projects, adapting my skills and experience in different settings. Engineering opens so many doors.

Why do you love working in the sector?

Ros: For us, in Wastewater, the sector is so varied, with every project and customer being totally unique. I’ve seen behind the scenes at food factories, been to stunning remote sites in Scotland, and recently visited suppliers in Italy, so I’d say the constantly changing work and experiences is something I love about the sector.

Beckie: I am especially interested in supporting the development of infrastructure that affects us all on a daily basis, without even realising. No day is the same and you can specialise in topics or jobs that you may never knew even existed.

What would you say to encourage more women and girls to work in engineering?

Ros: Engineering has a breadth of options within it, so don’t be put off by what you might have in mind as “Engineering” – if you’re interested in why things work, figuring out a tricky solution, or love making ideas into a reality, then a career in Engineering could be for you.

Beckie: I think the most important thing is to find something you enjoy or that uses skills that you are keen to develop. Engineering is multi faceted, so there are many different options to pursue, that you may not traditionally think of;- research, visit engineering businesses and determine if the options available align with what you are interested in. In a world moving towards greater gender balance and equality, don’t consider gender as being something that inhibits you from pursuing working in a sector that entices you.

Pinelog Ltd.

Clare Bennett is a joiner at Pinelog Ltd, a manufacturer of bespoke timber lodges based in Chesterfield.

Why did you choose a career in engineering?

Clare joined the company six years ago after discovering a love for joinery while helping a friend build a shepherd’s hut. Joining Pinelog was significant career change for Clare. Previously she was employed as a classroom assistant.

Since joining Pinelog, Clare has been trained in all aspects of the manufacturing process from timber frame construction and cladding to spray painting and internal fit out.

Why do you love working in the sector?

“I really like the fact the job is physical, and that I am constantly moving, Because the lodges are bespoke, every day is different. It’s fantastic to see a finished lodge and know that I have played a role in creating it.”

What would you say to encourage more women and girls to work in engineering?

Clare has two teenage daughters and is using her experience to guide their future careers. She added: “Through my own experience in manufacturing, I have encouraged my daughters to get training in a trade.”

Looking to kickstart your career in engineering? Find out about the range of apprenticeships available in the sector here.

Businesses looking to diversify and upskill their workforce are encouraged to contact the Chesterfield Borough Council skills brokerage team to discuss their needs. Find out more about the service here.

Chesterfield Champions to get involved in Ashgate Hospice Sparkle Night Walk

19th June 2024

Businesses in the town’s network of Chesterfield Champions are set to join thousands of people to raise funds for Ashgate Hospice this weekend.

The Sparkle Night Walk takes place each summer and sees people walking the 10km course through Chesterfield dressed in pink t-shirts and bunny ears.

The event helps to raise vital funds for the hospice, which provides end-of-life care for patients and support for their families.

Charlotte Butterworth, Events and Partnerships Manager at Ashgate Hospice, said: “We’re so grateful to all of the amazing businesses across North Derbyshire who will be taking part in our Sparkle Night Walk this year.

“The teams signing up and raising sponsorship for us will help fund care for the families who will need us now and in the future.

“We’ve had almost 3,000 people register for the event so far which is just incredible. We can’t wait to see so many of our supporters sparkling together on the big night.

“Let’s come together and do something amazing to raise funds towards vital palliative and end of life care in our region!”

Nick Hogan, Destination Chesterfield Board Member, commented: “It is great to see Chesterfield’s community coming together once again to raise funds for Ashgate Hospice.

“The work carried out by the hospice’s dedicated team to support people and families across our area is so important, therefore it is brilliant to see the community supporting this fantastic event.

“I would like to wish everyone taking part in the Sparkle Night Walk all the best on the night. I’m sure it will be another superb evening for our town.”

Find out more about some of the businesses in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire walking at this year’s event:

Banner Jones Solicitors

Banner Jones is once again supporting Ashgate Hospice by participating in this year’s Sparkle Walk.

With a dedicated team of 16 participants, this is the fourth year that the law firm has participated in the event, having raised an impressive £1,500 in 2023, and around £1,000 in 2022.

Banner Jones Marketing Manager, Lynne Pope, said: “We are excited to be taking part in the Ashgate Hospice Sparkle Walk for the fourth year. It’s a charity close to our hearts.

“Having visited the hospice, I saw the quality of service and care provided to those who need it the most. We are proud to be raising money for this vital local service, to help it continue supporting the local community in such an important way.”

Further information about the Banner Jones team’s fundraising efforts can be found here.

NIBE

A member of the NIBE team is taking part in the walk, in memory of a colleague and friend who used to work for the company.

Alan Sanders said: “I will walk in memory of my good friend and work colleague Sven Ove, who passed just over a year ago.

Ashgate cared for him and others I know in their time of need, and it’s terrible to think that others in need may not be accommodated due to lack of funding. Please if you knew Svein, consider helping this vital service.”

Find out more on the team’s fundraising page here.

Graysons Solicitors

Laura Cowan, head of Graysons’ private client team, said : “Everyone at Graysons Solicitors is buzzing with excitement as we gear up for the Sparkle Walk to support Ashgate Hospice in Chesterfield once more.

“Our team deeply values the opportunity to contribute to such a vital community cause. Last year’s event left a lasting impression on us all, and we are keen to create even more wonderful memories this year while raising crucial funds for the hospice.”

Donate to the team’s JustGiving page here.

Peak Pharmacy

Sparkle Night Walk 2023 Tom Hodgson Photographyby

Sparkle Night Walk 2023 by Tom Hodgson Photography

A team from Chesterfield’s Peak Pharmacy is set to take on the 10km course this Saturday.

Gillian Watters, P.A to the company’s Directors said: “Here at Peak Pharmacy, we wanted to focus our fundraising efforts on a local charity and chose to support Ashgate Hospice. Being our local hospice care facility, many of us have personal experience of Ashgate caring for family and friends.

“The Ashgate fundraising team have done an excellent job helping collate our team registration details making it an easy team event for us to arrange. We are very much looking forward to a fun evening with colleagues whilst raising money for such a worthy cause.”

Sponsor the team on it’s GoFundMe page.

Handelsbanken

Over the course of 2024, members of staff at Handelsbanken in Chesterfield will be undertaking a variety of activities to raise funds for Ashgate Hospice to support the incredible work they do.

In March, the team spent the day helping clear the woodland area in the hospice grounds for further redevelopment in the future to benefit the families using the hospice.

Throughout April, Handelsbanken Chesterfield collected new and pre-loved items for distribution to the hospice’s outlets in the local area.

Now, the team will be embarking on the 10km course to raise funds for Ashgate, and has already gone over a fabulous £4,500.

Donate to the team’s fundraising page here.

We Are Spaces

Chesterfield’s We Are Spaces will also be taking part in the walk. Find out more and donate to the team’s fundraising page at:

https://www.justgiving.com/team/wearespaces

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Summer, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in Ashgate hospice, Ashgate Hospice Sparkle Night Walk, Chesterfield, chesterfield business news, Chesterfield charities, Chesterfield community news, chesterfield events, chesterfield fundraising, sparkle night walk

Hat-trick of major industry awards for Mortgage 1st

18th June 2024

Chesterfield based mortgage broker, Mortgage 1st has won some of the most competitive categories in three nationally recognised industry events.

The business was established in 2008, but has since grown into a company with over 50 employees based at its head office just off junction 30 of the M1 motorway.

In the space of just 17 days, Mortgage 1st picked up awards at three financial and mortgage sector awards ceremonies:

• Mortgage Strategy Awards – Best Mortgage Broker
• Financial Reporter Awards – Broker Firm of the Year
• Legal & General Mortgage Club Awards – Best Broker Firm for Overall Quality

Managing Director, Jon Stones: “This remarkable level of success is true testament to the skillset, culture and commitment of our amazing team at Mortgage 1st. To be recognised as the best mortgage broker firm in the UK across three separate awards events signals that we are very close to achieving exactly what we set out to 16 years ago.

“Being trusted to provide first class advice comes with huge responsibility, we aim to provide this as seamlessly as possible whilst keeping the customer at the heart of every improvement we make as a brand.

“We are still in a state of shock to be completely honest but thrilled that the judges and the readers of industry publications have recognised our achievements over the last 12 months. Winning these awards leaves us feeling immensely proud but also fuels our ambitions to enhance our offering even further.”

Centrally located in the UK with superb access to major cities via the M1, Chesterfield is an excellent location to base your business. Find out more about investment opportunities in Chesterfield here.

Mortgage 1st supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in Chesterfield awards, chesterfield business news, chesterfield news, Love Chesterfield, mortgage 1st

Have your say and help shape the future of Chesterfield

7th June 2024

Residents, businesses, community groups and organisations in Chesterfield are being asked to have their say on how they think almost £20m worth of investment should be spent to help improve the town over the next 10 years.

A new and independent board, called the Chesterfield Town Board, is driving forward this investment and wants to hear people’s views to understand local issues and priorities as well as ideas for the future of Chesterfield.

People can put forward their views as part of an online survey – which will be open until noon on Monday 24 June – and a series of engagement sessions are also being held with local community groups and organisations.

Dominic Staniforth, Chair of the Chesterfield Town Board, said: “Listening to local people and understanding how residents, businesses and community representatives think this money should be best invested is at the heart of our plans.

“This means our investment proposals will be developed by local people for local people: bringing together residents, business, and community leaders to devise and agree a shared vision for the future.

“It’s really important that we hear from as many people as possible, to understand local issues and priorities as well as ideas that people may have for the future of Chesterfield.”

The short survey asks people to answer a series of brief questions, seeking their views on how the funding should be spent on projects which fit into three key themes:

Safety and security – this could include projects which help to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour, for example.
High streets, heritage and regeneration – this could include projects which would enhance the town, making the place more attractive and accessible to residents, businesses and visitors.
Transport and connectivity – this could include projects which support improved access to the town centre, including work to support greener modes of travel, as well as public transport options.

People’s views will be used to help shape the development of a long-term vision statement and three-year investment plan setting out how and where the money will be spent.

Dominic added: “Chesterfield is a great town full of wonderful people and organisations that share a common purpose to make it even better – a place to live, work, invest and study – so please do spare a few minutes to complete our short survey and be part of our shared ambitions for the town.”

Local business leader Dominic Staniforth was appointed as Chair of the Board. He sits alongside representatives from other local businesses, community and voluntary organisations, and the public sector, including representation from Chesterfield Borough Council.

The survey can be accessed at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Chesterfieldonlinesurvey

For more information about Chesterfield Town Board visit www.chesterfield.gov.uk/chesterfield-town-board

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Property and Construction, Summer, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in chesterfield borough council, chesterfield business news, Chesterfield improvements, Chesterfield investment, chesterfield news, Chesterfield town, Chesterfield Town Board, chesterfield town centre, Love Chesterfield

Solar panel interest soars in Chesterfield as residents and businesses choose sustainability

6th June 2024

Chesterfield has been named as one of the top 10 towns in the UK for interest in solar panels.

The number of residents showing interest in the products through internet searches is well above national levels, with an average of 3,860 monthly searches.

The research was compiled by The Federation of Master Builders (FMB), which examined the numbers to find out which places in the UK have seen the highest growth in interest in solar panels.

Across the UK, the average number of residents seeking to learn about solar panels sits at 2.8%, but in Chesterfield the monthly figure sits at 4.3% – the ninth best figure in the country.

Energy Saving Expert Hannah Holway at FMB, stresses how valuable solar panels can be to the average homeowner: “While the UK might not have many long, sunny days, that’s no reason not to install solar panels on your home.

“According to our own research, for the typical UK home, the cost of a solar panel system without will be around £7,000 and can amount to an average annual saving of almost £1,100. That means that in seven years, consumers will have paid their investment back in the savings made on energy.

“Not only that, the full 30-year lifespan of those panels will net approximately £33,000 in savings, or £26,000 after the initial investment is subtracted.

“It’s no surprise that many places in the UK are showing increased interest in solar panels!”

It isn’t just homeowners showing interest in Solar Panels. Many businesses in the town’s network of Chesterfield Champions have recently made the switch to improve their sustainability credentials.

Claire Wilks, Business Operations Manager at FWD Motion said: “Solar panels power our facilities, with plans for further expansion. This approach underscores our dedication to reducing our environmental impact and promoting sustainability.”

Ally Snee, Key Account Manager for SDE Group said: “We recently installed solar panels on our offices which has allowed us to remove gas from the building.”

Gareth Paradise, Health & Safety and Facilities Manager at Global Brands Ltd said: “We’ve recently invested in solar panels to take the bulk of our power demands. We constantly monitor power use and look to install devices and practices to reduce consumption.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield business news, chesterfield news, Chesterfield sustainability, Love Chesterfield, Solar Panels Chesterfield

Impressive growth for Vines Legal results in move to Chesterfield’s Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre

5th June 2024

A niche law firm has announced a move to Chesterfield’s Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre, following impressive growth in the town.

Vines Legal specialises exclusively in family law, and has been operating since 2009, originally moving into its first Chesterfield premises in 2012. Since then the team has grown organically, resulting in a move to one of the town’s flagship office developments.

Commenting on the move, Catherine Wenborn, Managing Director at Vines Legal said: “We have found moving our premises to Chesterfield a very positive experience.

“The Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre ticks all the boxes for this business. We wanted modern, professional office space in the centre of Chesterfield. The Enterprise Centre allows opportunities for the team to expand in the future and provides great opportunities to network with other local businesses who are tenants here.

“Chesterfield is a great place to live and work. It has great transport links to all parts of the country and the business and economic growth within the town is very positive.”

Ryan Wilkes, Destination Chesterfield Board Member commented: “We’re delighted to see Vines Legal growing and investing in Chesterfield, culminating in their move to the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre.

“The success of the centre has been there for all to see, with dozens of thriving organisations now operating from it.

“Our town is an excellent place to support the growth of businesses thanks to its strategic location and supportive business community. With excellent transport links and a skilled workforce, Chesterfield offers a perfect blend of opportunity and growth potential.”

Is your organisation looking for quality, affordable office space in a vibrant community of businesses? Get in touch today to find out about the range of spaces available in Chesterfield.

Vines Legal supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield borough council, chesterfield business news, chesterfield news, Invest in Chesterfield, Love Chesterfield, Vines Legal

World Environment Day – Chesterfield Champions showcase sustainability initiatives

4th June 2024

World Environment Day 2024 (June 5th 2024) is just around the corner, and businesses across Chesterfield are marking the date by highlighting their latest green initiatives.

Whether they are cutting emissions or reducing waste, our network of Chesterfield Champions are working together to support the town’s ambitions of becoming net-zero by 2050.

Nick Catt, Destination Chesterfield Board Member and Director at Weightron Bilanciai commented: “Embracing sustainability isn’t just a responsibility for businesses, it’s an opportunity to showcase our town’s innovation. By integrating eco-friendly practices, we not only protect our environment but also enhance our communities.

“I’m pleased to see so many businesses in Chesterfield displaying sustainable success. It’s vital that public and private sector organisations continue to work towards net-zero across our town, which will help Chesterfield become an even better place to live, work, visit and invest.”

Want to find out how your business can be more sustainable? Get in touch with the Chesterfield Accelerator team by clicking here, or book onto the upcoming Carbon Literacy for SMEs Webinar.

Find out more below about how businesses in the town are going green to secure a more prosperous future for our community.

Bridget Bircumshaw – Teaching & Learning Quality Lead – Green Skills at Chesterfield College Group

In partnership with stakeholders, our students, staff, and apprentices are climate change ambassadors for the college and wider community. Our annual sustainability fair champions awareness through student-led, co-created, community projects, promoting sustainable materials, resources, and technologies.

These initiatives support carbon-footprint reduction, respect for the environment and green-skill behaviours needed in industry to protect our planet. Their voices drive our ambitious, flexible and innovative curriculum, #BeingLoudlyBrilliant empowering eco-leaders of the future.

Laura Jo Owen – ‘Queen of Joy and Sparkle’ at Adorn Jewellers Chesterfield

Adorn are committed to finding new ways to become more sustainable. Most recently, a sustainability focus has led us to promote our ‘circular packaging’.

Each piece of our jewellery is lovingly gift wrapped in our famous ‘little green bag’. Now our lovely customers can make each bag even more wonderful by returning it to be used again. The bag can be used as gift wrap again or in our displays.

Mark Johnson – Print Manager at FWD Motion

From solar panels, electric vehicles, pure water filters, biodegradable materials, and our very own nature garden, FWD Motion offers a greener agency solution for clients looking for eco-friendly, sustainable marketing services. We are especially excited about our new printer, which enables us to repurpose old signage and merchandise to prevent them from going to landfill.

Unlike solvent-based inks, its UV ink technology eliminates the need for laminates, reducing single-use plastic consumption and ensuring a longer lifespan for our vibrant print solutions.

Stephanie Weightman – Creative Director at Highlight Crafts

At Highlight Crafts we’re always looking for ways to be more sustainable. One of our recent changes has been the update of our packaging.

The original packaging included sealed plastic cello bags and while we always encouraged customers to reuse these bags, switching to paper envelope packaging ensures that the product is packaged safely, and ensures that when the customer is finished with the packaging, this can be recycled naturally.

Jane Cooper – Partner and the Head of Personal Injury at Graysons Solicitors

We take sustainability very seriously at Graysons. We are now very paper lite with a view to becoming paperless in the PI department – with other departments following suit.

We use electronic signature software to cut down on printing documents in all areas and we encourage conferences by remote means to reduce our carbon footprint. We recently moved to the more energy efficient Glass Yard premises.

Ross Chester – Sales & Marketing at The Embroidery Shed

At The Embroidery Shed, our efforts to be more sustainable are focused around minimising wastage in our manufacturing processes; We re-use our backing material offcuts where possible as well as adopt a zero-stock method, only holding stock for customer’s orders.

We also have an ECO Range with clothing made from sustainably sourced materials, such as organic cotton and recycled cotton and polyester.

Natalie Burkinshaw – Founder and Creative Director at Crush Design & Creative Marketing

Operating within an industry that has a long history of print-based solutions, we were early adopters of digital alternatives, ensuring our clients have sustainable options for their projects.

We’ve also made significant changes to our office set-up in the past two years, building an energy efficient studio which runs off a solar energy source, investing in electric vehicles along with ensuring our suppliers meet our sustainable goals for the future.

Abbi Holland – Head Receptionist at The Body Health Centre

Here at The Body Health Centre, we’re passionate about sustainability, and doing our bit to help the environment.

As much as possible, we purchase our consumable and everyday items locally to reduce our impact and support other local business.

We use environmentally friendly cleaning products and have our waste collected weekly from a local recycling firm, I even take our shredded paper home to add to my garden compost bin!

Dan Hobday – Technical Sales Engineer at Addooco IT

Addooco IT is committed to sustainability by achieving Carbon Neutral status and obtaining PAS 2060 Certification.

We implement eco-friendly practices, optimize energy use, and offset emissions to minimize our environmental impact. Our focus includes reducing waste, enhancing operational efficiency, and using renewable energy sources, demonstrating our dedication to a greener future while meeting rigorous sustainability standards.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield champions, chesterfield news, Chesterfield sustainability, World Environment Day

Chesterfield business brings more glamour to the Eurovision Song Contest

3rd June 2024

A Chesterfield business known for creating immersive event technology and social media content was recently mixing with the stars at the Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden.

Noonah took its Glamdroid product to the event last month, providing artists with the chance to step in front of the camera and create shareable content for social media.

From established celebrities like Rylan Clark to rising talents like Lithuania’s Silvester Belt, everyone wanted a chance to step in front of the Glamdroid. By creating shareable content for social media platforms, Noonah not only enhanced the onsite experience for attendees but also extended the reach of Eurovision online.

Glamdroid utilises industry-leading super-fast robotic technology, ensuring seamless movements that capture the essence of glamour and athleticism on the red carpet.

By combining state-of-the-art technology with seamless functionality, Glamdroid ensured that every moment was captured with precision, style, and glamour. As the industry’s leading robotic camera arm, Glamdroid continues to set the standard for capturing unforgettable moments at awards ceremonies, ensuring that your event stands out from the rest.

Vanessa Holmes, Senior Account Manager at Noonah commented: “We’re constantly exploring new technologies and fresh ideas to enhance the experience for attendees around the world. The passion within our team drives us to deliver excellence, making each project a true testament to our innovation and dedication within the events industry, and our latest work at Eurovision is a great example of this!”

The product has also been used at major national events such as the 70th BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, which saw presenters Gabby Logan, Alex Scott and Clare Balding striking poses for the camera. Furthermore, pop superstar Kylie Minogue stepped in front of the Glamdroid camera at the 2024 BRIT Awards.

Find out more about Glamdroid on Noonah’s website.

Noonah supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield business news, chesterfield news, Eurovision Song Contest, Love Chesterfield, noonah

Record-breaking year for the Chesterfield Postcard Show

31st May 2024

Local arts charity, Junction Arts is celebrating this month after staging their most successful Chesterfield Postcard to date.

The fundraising art exhibition, which invites mini-sized art submissions from amateur and established artists is now in its third year and has raised over £3,000, since 2022 to fund community arts projects in the region.

This year, organisers saw record entries, with 472 submissions. 92 individuals entered postcard-size artworks and 47 of them were from professional artists. Over 200 people visited the art exhibition over 10 days and £1,088 was raised through postcard sales and donations.

The Chesterfield Postcard Show is organised by Junction Arts and local artist Dave Elsom from Sombrero Printmaking to allow creatives, communities, and up-and-coming artists to show their work in a professional exhibition.

Hannah Bowdler, Relationship Fundraiser at Junction Arts said: “The Chesterfield Postcard Show has grown year on year, in 2022 we had just over 100 entries and only two years later we had almost 500! Visitors to the exhibition commented that the quality and range of the artwork were high this year, which is so great to hear.

“The event showcases artists of all levels and provides a place where people can buy original art, for just £10 and know that they’re helping to fund community art projects that make a real difference to people’s lives.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who submitted work, visited the show or bought a postcard, we really do appreciate it. Also, a special thank you to Sue Woollett from Stepnell Construction East Midlands, who volunteered to help us set up the show – which is no mean feat when you have 472 pieces of artwork to hang!

“The event has proved popular and so we want it to continue to grow and we are looking for a sponsor for 2025 to help us take the show to the next level.”

For those that didn’t make it to the exhibition, don’t worry, the postcard-size artworks are still available to buy, via the Junction Arts Etsy page.

Find out more about events and activities taking place across Chesterfield this summer: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/summer/

Junction Arts supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Summer, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in chesterfield business news, chesterfield events, chesterfield news, Chesterfield postcard show, Love Chesterfield

Champions show support for Chesterfield community with latest initiatives

30th May 2024

Businesses across Chesterfield continue to get involved in supporting the local community with a range of initiatives to support people across the area.

Ann Fomukong-Boden, Destination Chesterfield Board Member commented: “Chesterfield Champions are proud to support our vibrant community, and it is great to see businesses playing their part to help others through a wide range of initiatives.

“Our town is a great place to work and live, and one of the main things that makes Chesterfield unique is the closeness of its community.

“It is great to see Champions continuing this trend by supporting local people and charities, alongside raising the profile of our area.”

Find out more about how our organisations are working to improve the lives of our residents and strengthen ties with our charities, voluntary organisations and wider community in our latest roundup below.

Spire Radio relaunches ‘Chesterfield Chat’ show to celebrate the town

Spire Radio has announced the relaunch of its community centred local show, Chesterfield Chat. The program returns now hosted by Jordan Hartshorne and produced by Eva Charkiewicz who are both passionate about celebrating the heart and soul of Chesterfield.

Chesterfield Chat provides a platform for local businesses, community groups, charities, and artists to connect with listeners and share their stories.

The relaunched show promises to build on this tradition while offering a fresh perspective and engaging format. Listeners can also expect lively discussions on local news and upcoming events that matter most to the people of Chesterfield.

Each week, Chesterfield Chat will feature a dynamic mix of guests, including:

Local business owners discussing their latest ventures and experiences of trading in Chesterfield.
Representatives from community groups and charities sharing their important work and fundraising efforts.
Local artists, musicians, and performers showcasing their talents, with some liver performances.
A roundup of the mustn’t-miss events around Chesterfield in the week ahead.

Spire Radio welcomes all members of the community to tune in to Chesterfield Chat every Tuesday evening at 6pm. Listen live on spire-radio.com, on the TuneIn Apps for iPhone, Android and Smart TV or Ask Alexa to Play Spire Radio from TuneIn.

Whether you’re a local business owner, a charity worker, or simply a resident who loves your town, Chesterfield Chat is a platform for your voice to be heard. For more information about Chesterfield Chat or if you’d like to feature on the show, email eva@spire-radio.com or message the station on Instagram.

DBCP to sponsor popular Chesterfield Children’s Festival

DBCP is sponsoring this year’s Chesterfield Children’s Festival –a free family event organised by local charity Junction Arts.

The Junction Arts event is funded by Arts Council England and was launched in 2023, attracting over 8,000 visitors. The two-day festival celebrates the joy of childhood, imagination and play and features free cultural activities and entertainment for children of all ages to enjoy.

This year, the event will be held on Saturday 27^th and Sunday 28^{th of} July in Queen’s Park, Chesterfield. New acts for 2024 include an immersive live movie set experience, an interactive family catwalk show, virtual reality swings, an aerial workshop for babies and family life drawing! There’ll also be art workshops, circus skills, storytelling, live music, face painting, theatre, and dance.

Chesterfield-based DBCP, which is the recommended provider of building control services in Derbyshire, Is the headline sponsor at the event, donating £4,000 to the charity. The extra funds will go towards an arts commission that will see musicians and storytellers work with local young people to create a new piece of music that will be performed at the festival.

Junction Arts Coordinator Jemma Burton said: “We’d like to say a massive thank you to DBCP and welcome them as sponsors of this year’s Children’s Festival. Junction Arts is a charity, we rely on corporate donations and sponsorship to ensure that our events and festivals are free and accessible to as many people as possible, this generous support from DBCP helps us to widen our reach and allows the festival to have much more impact in the community.”

Looking forward to the event David Pratt, DBCP’s Building Control Manager, said: “We are delighted to sponsor Chesterfield Children’s Festival this year. Many of the DBCP team and their families live in and around the area, so for us to be involved with this fantastic event in our community gives us all a real feeling of pride.”

For more information about the Chesterfield Children’s Festival visit: junctionarts.org.

Popular TV and comedy star launches new series of Ashgate Hospice grief podcast

ED BYRNE image stood against a wall smiling

Image by Roslyn Gaunt

Television and comedy star Ed Byrne recently appeared in the newest series of Ashgate Hospice’s podcast, which explores frank and honest conversations about life, death and grief.

Ed, known for appearing on panel shows like 8 Out of 10 Cats and his stand-up comedy, was interviewed for the first episode of The Life and Death Podcast.

It comes amidst the world tour of his show Tragedy Plus Time, inspired by the bereavement he faced following the death of his younger brother.

Ed sat down with podcast host Stephen Rumford ahead of his show in Buxton to discuss his career, his brother’s life and the success of the critically acclaimed show.

The first episode of the fifth series, featuring Ed, launched on 6^th May as part of Dying Matters Awareness Week.

Episodes featuring other death and grief experts and commentators will go live every fortnight.

Stephen Rumford, host of The Life and Death Podcast and Senior Physiotherapist at Ashgate Hospice, said: “I don’t think we could have imagined that when we started back in 2020, we’d go on to launch five series of the podcast.

“This time, we’ve expanded our range topics and guests, and our six latest guests are a wonderful addition to the growing resource that the podcast represents.

“From a candid conversation with Ed Byrne to an insightful discussion with TikTok’s ‘Hospice Nurse Julie’, we have a wide range of guests offering differing expertise. You’re sure to learn something new with each episode.

“We hope the podcast provides a useful resource to anyone who is bereaved and people who might be curious about the subject.

“I hope all of our listeners enjoy the considered opinions of our guests as they share their unique experiences with us.”

In the podcast seasons so far, Stephen speaks with writers, doctors and people who have experienced end of life care to discuss their unique relationships, hospice life, and how death affects the living.

In the latest series, Dr. Katie Lawlor, an animal bereavement expert and pet loss psychologist based in San Francisco, California, joins as one of the guests.

She was training to be a clinical psychologist before she realised there was very little, if any, support networks for people suffering following the death of a pet.

Others include Dr Julie McFadden, known to millions on social media as ‘Hospice Nurse Julie’; she cares for palliative and end of life patients and uses TikTok to address some of death’s biggest misconceptions.

The Natural Death Centre’s Josefine Speyer, author of Modern Loss, Rebeca Soffer, and renowned philosopher Simon Critchley will also feature in the new season.

Episodes will be released on Mondays every fortnight from 6^th May! You can listen to episodes from all five series of The Life and Death Podcast online or by searching for ‘Ashgate Hospice’ on all streaming platforms.

Veezu supports Cash for Kids charity

Veezu, a private hire operator covering Chesterfield and South Yorkshire, has donated £500 to the local arm of Cash for Kids in support of Cash for Kids Day on 2 May.

The donation was made through Funded by Veezu, an initiative in which local charities and sports teams can apply for funding and grants, set up to improve the communities in which Veezu operates.

Cash for Kids supports children and young people affected by poverty, abuse, neglect, life-limiting illness, and those with additional needs. Based across 22 areas in the UK, Cash for Kids is a grant giving charity that helps community groups, charitable organisations, schools and individual cases. The latest figures from the End Child Poverty Coalition show that 1 in 3 local children are living in poverty and, in some areas, it is as high as 36%.

2 May marked Cash for Kids Day, where organisations came together to raise as much as possible for the cause, with a particular focus on combating holiday hunger to make sure all children have access to a hot meal during the holidays.

Veezu has donated £500 from its regional areas of Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield and Portsmouth, bringing the total donation to £3000. According to statistics given by Cash for Kids, it’s predicted that £3000 will help 60 children in need.

Lisa Sullivan, Charity Manager at Cash for Kids North, West and South Yorkshire and Derbyshire, said: “We are so grateful to Veezu for supporting us across the UK in six regions for Cash for Kids Day. For the passengers of Veezu, they can feel confident in their choice, as they will be helping disadvantaged children access activities and food during the school holidays. For many children it will be their only daily meal. The generosity of companies like Veezu, as well as donations from the general public, help us help children that need it the most.”

Sacha Skinner, Regional Marketing Manager at Veezu, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Cash for Kids once again. All children deserve access to a hot meal, whether it’s the holidays or not, and we are glad to donate what we can and make a difference to children living in poverty.”

BusinessWise Accountancy & Tax welcomes Brookfield School pupil for work experience

A Chesterfield business has continued its commitment towards supporting our young people with careers, by hosting a pupil for a week of work experience.

BusinessWise Accountancy and Tax welcomed Oliver to their organisation for a week of hands-on learning about what a career in Chesterfield’s financial sector would look like.

Looking for skills support in Chesterfield for your business? Go to our Skills and Training page to find out more.

The businesses featured in this article support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in Ashgate hospice, BusinessWise accountancy and tax, Chesterfield Buisness News, Chesterfield community news, chesterfield news, DBCP, Junction arts, Love Chesterfield, Spire Radio, Veezu

Support leads to unique Chesterfield wedding business winning major awards

28th May 2024

A unique Chesterfield wedding content creator, which received support from a business start-up scheme has gone on to scoop a prestigious award.

The Relaxed Bride is a modern content creator service, which provides a contemporary approach towards capturing weddings and other promotional events.

Owner, Chloe Ryans-Docherty spotted a potential niche in the wedding market, and decided to launch her business with the support of the Vision Derbyshire business start-up support initiative.

She explained how the decision to launch her own business came about: “It all began when I first noticed a trend emerging in the US and Australia on TIKTOK, which sparked an idea: why not bring this concept to the UK? After further research, I discovered that while the trend was in its infancy here, there were already a few established brands offering this.

“Attending my first wedding alongside the photographer who had captured my own special day, Jo Greenfield I realized the potential to carve out a niche in the market. Since then, my journey has been nothing short of remarkable, surpassing my expectations in terms of growth and impact.

“What sets me apart from other wedding content creators is my subtle approach. While many rely heavily on social media trends and transitions, I much prefer to remain behind the scenes, capturing the raw, authentic moments that unfold between the scripted ones on my iPhone.

Chloe said the support she received from Vision Derbyshire played a key role in launching and growing the business: “The support and guidance I’ve received from Vision Derbyshire over the past six months have been invaluable. Initially recommended to me by a friend and fellow wedding supplier, the program has been instrumental in helping me navigate the journey of starting my own business.

“With no prior experience in entrepreneurship, I needed direction, and Sara Martin from Vision Derbyshire has been amazing. Patiently guiding me through essential aspects and breaking down complex concepts, Sara helped me create a cash-flow plan that I could comprehend and follow for future — considering maths was never my forte in school!”

Since going from strength-to-strength, The Relaxed Bride has recieved a videography award from the Hitched Wedding Awards. The business had been on the Hitched directory, and the organisation recognised Chloe’s business following a long list of positive reviews.

Chloe added: “Little did I know that these reviews were being closely monitored by Hitched themselves. It came as a complete surprise when, in February, I was honoured with an award from them. This award has reaffirmed my commitment to providing exceptional service and fuelled my passion even further!”

The Relaxed Bride has also been recognised with a ‘Best International Innovator’ award for the inaugural 2024 Loverly List – another scheme aimed at recognising top businesses in the wedding sector.

Speaking about running her business in Chesterfield, Chloe commented: “Chesterfield is a small town but holds a unique advantage with access to nearby cities like Derby, Sheffield, and Nottingham, all within an hour’s reach. Despite its size, Chesterfield has always been my home, and I can’t imagine ever leaving. I’ve always been a homebody at heart.

“I have worked with so many talented wedding suppliers right here in Chesterfield, what’s even more exciting has been the hidden gems of wedding venues that I never knew existed around me!

“To anyone considering starting a business in the area, my advice is simple: just go for it! Chesterfield has seen significant development recently, with numerous new office spaces springing up in the town centre. It’s about taking that leap of faith and trusting in your vision!

Find out more about The Relaxed Bride on the Hitched website here or at https://www.the-relaxedbride.com/

Find out more about locating your business in Chesterfield here, and for more information on support available to local organisations, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/business-support/

Photo of female content creator taking photo of bride on smartphone

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Leisure, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield business news, chesterfield news, Chesterfield wedding photographers, Love Chesterfield, The relaxed bride, Vision Derbyshire business support